Admission

From preschool through high school, Sanford School students pursue a challenging, engaging, college-prep curriculum while discovering the talents, strengths, and passions that shape their individual journeys. Our rigorous program is balanced by our desire to develop well-rounded students. There is no mold that Sanford students need to fit. The common thread through all our programs—and our students—is the bold pursuit of excellence.

Academics

Sanford offers all the advantages that make an independent school education so valuable. Our bold approach to learning offers every student a rigorous, engaging, well-rounded, college-preparatory curriculum. From preschool to high school, Sanford students delve deep into core subjects as well as music and visual arts, world languages and cultures, and athletics. Led by our stellar faculty, Sanford students become critical thinkers, adept problem-solvers, independent learners, powerful self-advocates, and effective leaders. Our expectations are high, but so is the genuinely caring, developmentally appropriate support we provide at each level. Sanford students leave us as articulate, creative, self-assured, caring, and responsible young people who return to tell us how well prepared they feel not just for college, but for life.

Programs

A vibrant liberal arts program rounds out Sanford School’s challenging, college-prep academic experience so our students can pursue their individual strengths, interests, and passions both inside and outside the classroom. Through a complete program of music and theater, visual arts, clubs and activities, athletics and counseling services—not to mention really good food—students have daily opportunities to discover new talents, explore their interests, get support when needed, and enjoy time with friends. Without all this, and the facilities to match, we couldn’t live our motto, No Talent Lies Latent.

Sanford students are healthy, happy achievers. Our community provides a united and dynamic environment which offers a community rich in diversity. Students become close friends and teammates whose relationships often develop into lifelong friendships.

News & Events

Get the latest scoop about Sanford School! Visit often to view the school calendar, stay up-to-date on campus news, learn of upcoming performances and events, follow our Sanford News Network, read our Education Matters blog, and connect with us on social media. You can also check out the latest issues of SANFORD magazine.

Giving

Give the Gift of Excellence in Education

Your generous gift makes it possible for Sanford School to continue to provide the exceptional education that all members of the Sanford community deeply value. A gift to the Annual Fund is the very best way to sustain Sanford’s standards of excellence and bold approach to learning, offer a rich program full of opportunities that prepare students for success, attract and retain the very best students and faculty, and maintain a gorgeous and resourceful campus that provides the essential backdrop for a journey defined by quality and individuality. Please contact the Development office to learn about all the ways to support Sanford School with your gift.

About

Sanford School is an independent, college-preparatory school for boys and girls in preschool (age 3) through high school. Located on a striking 100-acre teaching campus in Hockessin, Delaware, we are proud to be one of the best private schools in the region. Sanford was founded in 1930 as an innovative school where No Talent Lies Latent. Ask any family, and they’ll tell you that Sanford’s faculty is dedicated to bringing this motto to life for every child, in every classroom, every day. Our students enjoy rigorous academics, opportunities in the arts and athletics, an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust, and immersion in a humane, worldly community that prepares them to succeed in every aspect of life.

Planned Giving

Leave a Legacy

Planned Giving is a means to make a significant gift to Sanford School—either now or in the future—while providing benefits for the donor or his or her heirs. Methods of planned giving often enable a donor to contribute to Sanford’s future security while garnering immediate or estate tax benefits. Sanford School honors those who make this commitment with membership in the Evergreen Society.

Opportunities to Contribute to Sanford School

There are a variety of creative and flexible ways to support Sanford School—both now and in the future. Each method has different terms and approaches; all ensure that future generations of Sanford students will benefit from your generosity and commitment.

There are three different forms of Planned Gifts:

Gifts to the school (either in cash or property) not related to the Annual Fund or an ongoing capital campaign

Bequests to the school upon one’s death, which often provide tax benefits to the donor or the donor’s heirs

Life-income gifts, which can provide the donor or another beneficiary immediate benefits while helping to secure the long-term future of the school.

Additional common and easily accomplished forms of planned gifts include bequests in one’s will and gifts of insurance. Though we encourage you to consult with a professional, please see "Tax Information" on this page for additional details.

Ultimately, the size or nature of one’s planned gift is a deeply personal decision, and Sanford is grateful for your consideration of any form or amount. Please read on to learn more about each of these approaches to sustaining the future of Sanford School.

Evergreen Society

Sanford’s Evergreen Society recognizes the generosity and foresight of our alumni, parents and friends who have included Sanford in their wills or other estate plans. All bequests, of any size, are honored. While we are eager to recognize your generosity, we will certainly respect your wishes if you choose to remain anonymous.

To become a member—or if you have already included Sanford School in your estate plan or will—please inform Janice Payne of your documented intentions so we may personally thank you.

Tax Information

Sanford School is a charitable, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. All bequests are fully deductible for estate tax purposes, which means that your bequest to Sanford will reduce the taxable portion of your estate and decrease federal estate tax liability, while the School will benefit from the full amount of your bequest.

By designating a percentage of your estate, you ensure that Sanford will receive the same relative portion of your assets, regardless of changes in the actual value. A percentage or the remainder of your estate can be given to Sanford after other specific bequests by using this language:

I give all (or___%) of the remainder of my estate, whether real or personal, to Sanford School, 6900 Lancaster Pike, Hockessin, DE 19711, for its general purposes.

In the event that a primary beneficiary does not survive you, it is possible to designate a contingent or alternate beneficiary. To name the School as such a beneficiary, use the following language:

In the event that (name of primary beneficiary) should not survive me, I give ___________________ (state desired sum, property or percentage of your estate) to Sanford School, 6900 Lancaster Pike, Hockessin, DE 19711, for its general purposes.

If your present will meets your needs, you can make a bequest to Sanford School by adding a simple codicil. A codicil requires the signature of witnesses, donor, and the date, and should be prepared professionally. Use the wording above (as appropriate) to make a bequest or contingent bequest of a specific dollar amount, asset, or percentage of your estate or its remainder.

Note:In all instances, you should consult a lawyer or financial advisor before preparing legal documents. If you would like to use a planned gift to fund a restricted purpose, rather than allow Sanford to use a future gift for general purposes, please contact Janice Payne at 302.265.6511.

SANFORD ALUMNI & DEVELOPMENT OFFICE

6900 Lancaster Pike

Hockessin, DE 19707

Phone: 302.235.6500Fax: 302.239.5389

Learn More

We invite you to learn more about your Planned Giving options by contacting Janice Payne at 302.235.6511. She will thoughtfully discuss with you various giving strategies to meet your objectives and provide you with the resources to make the most informed decision.

Sanford School recommends that you consult an estate attorney or financial planner prior to making any final decisions. The Development Office can provide you with a list of recommended estate attorneys and financial planning organizations if you wish.